Diotimos Library · Journals, Notebooks & Fragments Collection · Bilingual Edition
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I
Complete Notebooks · French with an independent English translation.
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French Page · Branch 2450 of 3781
[LOCKE] · Entry 2450
French
p. 489928 mars.
Leur gouvernement n’est pour les Anglais qu’un objet d’inquiétude et de défiance, et non d’amour et de sécurité, de repos.
* Dans mes principes (dit l’auteur quelque part) il n’y a point de droits, il n’y a que des devoirs. En effet les droits d’un homme n’ont et ne peuvent avoir pour fondement comme pour appui que les devoirs d’un autre.
* Point de liberté (dit-il) sans esclavage. » C’est à dire, selon lui, sans l’esclavage royal, nobiliaire, sénatorial, sacerdotal, etc. Les simples propriétaires sont seuls indépendans.
* Nota. à la page 180, tome 3ᵉ. En effet, on est scavant par l’étude, bel esprit par le talent.
* Superposition ne doit pas être oppression. Et de l’envie d’abaisser son inférieur. Une statue qui enfonceroit sa base seroit elle-même enfoncée.
* « Les passions haineuses (dit-il) indiquent un vice de tempérament. » Bien.
* Nation anglaise, deux sociétés dans une.
The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I: [LOCKE]
p. 4900March 28.
For the English, their government is only an object of anxiety and distrust, and not of love and security, of repose.
* In my principles (the author says somewhere), there are no rights, there are only duties. Indeed, the rights of one man have, and can have, as their foundation and support only the duties of another.
* No liberty (he says) without slavery.” That is, according to him, without royal, noble, senatorial, priestly slavery, etc. Mere property owners alone are independent.
* Nota. at page 180, volume 3. Indeed, one is learned through study, a wit through talent.
* Superposition must not be oppression. And of the desire to lower one’s inferior. A statue that sank its base would itself be sunk.
* “Hateful passions (he says) indicate a defect of temperament.” Good.
* English nation, two societies in one.
Socrates
Reading The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert, Volume I · [LOCKE] · Entry 2450
Ask about a concept, passage, contradiction, or connection.
Socrates will begin with this book and its sources.About This Reading Edition
Joubert’s notebooks return to the work of thinking and writing, the demands of friendship, and questions of faith, beauty and conduct. This edition pairs the French with a new English translation, preserving the order of the chosen source and the unfinished character of its fragments. Dates and source references allow readers to follow a thought through time or return to its printed context.
Historical Text and Translation
The French text follows André Beaunier’s 1938 edition of Les Carnets de Joseph Joubert, published by Gallimard from Joubert’s autograph manuscripts. Volume I presents the entries on printed pages 32–475. French and English are aligned paragraph by paragraph, retaining the source order, printed dates and page references so readers can return to the facsimile.
About Diotimos Editions
Diotimos Editions prepared this new English translation directly from the French, preserving Joubert’s distinctions, recurring images, ambiguities and unfinished thoughts. Translator’s notes clarify wording, references and uncertain readings: Essential keeps notes that help explain a passage, while All includes technical detail. Annotations from the 1938 source edition remain distinct from the new translator’s notes.
Rights
The linked facsimile records identify the French source as public domain in the United States. The new English translation and editorial notes are © 2026 Diotimos, with source annotations and new editorial contributions credited separately. This edition pairs the complete French notebooks with an independent English translation, preserving the distinction between Joubert’s text and its accompanying notes.